The text narrates the story of Yusuf (Joseph), son of Jacob, who is a prophet in Islam, and recounts his life and mission.

[2][5] This surah, which also tells of the truth, according to Muslims, contained in dreams, presents many principles of how to serve Islam by relating the life-history of a prophet, who became the most renowned and respected figure in the country to which he had been sold as a slave.

The woman seeing his resistance accuses Yūsuf of wanting to harm her and demands that he should either be punished severely or sent to jail.

Soon after this accident, the women of the city talk of how the wife is seeking to seduce Yūsuf.

[9] Yūsuf, in a high position of authority, requests that the next time they come, they bring their youngest brother Benjamin with them.

[10] There is no confirmed time when Surah Yūsuf was supposedly revealed, but it is estimated to be either in the 10th or 11th year of dawah.

Abu Talib was the only father figure he had left and one of the people who protected him from the harms of society.

Later on in Makkah after his uncle's death, the pagans made him face excessive hardships while he tried to call the people to Islam.

However, to his disappointment, the people of Ta'if did not welcome him, gave him a hard time and chased him out of the city by throwing rocks at him.

[11] Also translated as Joseph (son of Jacob) it was known to the Christian and Jewish cultures and not heard of by the Quraysh.

To recite this story would show true prophecy, but people had no faith that Muhammad would possess this gift.

[12] Following the hardships faced within the city of Makkah, the story of Yūsuf was later revealed to uplift people's spirits.

[14] Muhammad is reported to have encouraged the teaching of Surah Yūsuf to slaves, claiming that "whenever a Muslim recites it and teaches it to his family and slaves, Allah would ease for him the pangs of death and make it so that no Muslim would envy him".

The prophets Ibrahim, Ishaaq, Ya'qūb and Yūsuf invited the people to the same message as Muhammad.

The example of Yūsuf shows that a person of high and pure character can overcome severe circumstances and be successful.